James Harden could be X-factor if Heat meet Thunder in Finals

OKLAHOMA CITY — The jersey number of choice for fans during Thunder games is either 35 or 0.

It's rightfully so, with them belonging to Oklahoma City superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

That's not to say the Thunder are defined by the league's top scoring duo. With the Miami Heat set to face Oklahoma City in what most consider a preview of the NBA Finals, the player to keep an eye on is reserve guard James Harden.

He's proven just as valuable as his two more popular teammates.

"I think what makes them special is James Harden, a guy who can come off the bench and get 30 [points]," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "That makes you special, when you got that luxury."

Harden has found a way to shine on a team that has little spotlight to spread around.

Durant is arguably Heat forward LeBron James' stiffest competition for this year's regular-season MVP while Westbrook ranks among the league's top point guards.

They combined to average 52.2 points, drawing most of the attention.

That leaves Harden, who has become a fan favorite at Chesapeake Energy Arena more for his extra-long beard than his play. The fans wear mock beards in the stands, but duplicating Harden's contributions on the court is much more difficult.

He is averaging 17.1 points in 32.1 minutes, making him the clear favorite to win the league's Sixth Man of the Year award. Although he is a reserve, he was on the floor for both overtimes in Friday's thrilling 149-140 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Harden in typical fashion was third on the stats sheet behind Westbrook scoring 45 points and Durant's 40-point, 17-rebound effort. Still, it was Harden contributing 25 points and six assists in 43 minutes.

"Any time you have a spark like that off the bench, it helps your team out tremendously," James said.

"You look at some of the best teams in the league and they pretty much have a spark off the bench. Jason Terry is that guy for Dallas. James Harden for Oklahoma City, Louis Williams in Philly. That definitely helps them. We've got to key in on him. He's going to be somebody we play close attention to. … He will be on the scouting report."

Wade went far as to say Harden may be the key to the Thunder.

Durant and Westbrook are both tough covers, but the difficulty increases when there is a third player in the mix. The situation is comparable to when forward Chris Bosh is effective alongside Wade and James.

"They've got so many X-factors on that team, but he's a big key," Wade said. "When they're unstoppable is when [Harden] is playing at the same level as Westbrook and KD."

Harden embraces the role of energy spark despite the lure of being a starter. Not many former No. 3 overall draft picks would be content in the situation but it's been that way for him since entering the league three seasons ago.

"It's my job," Harden said.

"Every single night, it's been my job since I've been here. Just to come in and produce off the bench, not just scoring but being a playmaker. When guys are open, I find them. When it's my time to score, I score the ball."

The Thunder took criticism when they drafted Harden in 2009, especially with players such as Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans still available.

He endured the typical rookie struggles before coming into his own last season. His progression was part of the reason the Thunder felt comfortable trading Jeff Green to the Boston Celtics for Kendrick Perkins, adding much-needed frontcourt depth.

Durant says all Harden needed was the right opportunity and playing as a reserve has been the perfect fit.

"A lot of people overrate starting," Durant said.

"If you play starter minutes, you basically are a starter. So James plays minutes into the 30s and sometimes 40 minutes a night. It doesn't matter who's up there when the ball is tipped up, it's about who finishes the game. That's what he does for us."